Why should he die?
They would not die for him.

Nay, they would not thank him, they would not praise him.

A traitor?
To live he must turn traitor?
Ay, but try Petitot, and see if he would not do the same! Or Baudichon, who could not sleep of nights for fear--how would he act with death staring him in the face?
The bravest soldiers when disarmed, or called upon to surrender or die, capitulate without blame.

And that was his position.
Life, too; dear, warm life! Life that might hold much for him still.
Hitherto these men and their fellows had hampered and thwarted him, marred his plans and balked his efforts.

Freed from them and supported by an enlightened and ambitious prince, he might rise to heights hitherto invisible.